Floyd Protests Kick Corona to the Curb [OPINION]

For months, we remained on lockdown due to the coronavirus. We were unable to shop. We were not allowed to go to church. Our businesses crumbled and our kids were prevented from going to school or from even shooting a few hoops in the park. Everyone was forced to wear masks and remain six feet apart. It was for our own good, we were told.

Those were the lucky ones. Some folks were unable to visit sick and dying relatives or their elderly folks in a nursing home. Funerals were banned and medical appointments were canceled preventing some from getting needed medical care. Still others were fined or jailed if they tried to go back to work without the government's permission. And of course, there were those who suffered miserably at the hands of addiction or were victims of domestic violence brought on by the lockdown.

When we turned out to protest those draconian restrictions, healthcare officials, politicians, and the Karens among us called us evil names. We were selfish and greedy individuals who only sought to put our self-interest ahead of the greater good. We were told to go back home and stay there until the curve was a little flatter.

Funny how all of that changed with the killing of George Floyd. Suddenly, the very same healthcare workers, politicians, and the Karens are in the streets taking a knee, and tens of thousands of people are protesting in the streets. What happened there? Social distancing went right out the window along with their self-righteousness. It's as if the coronavirus died right along with George Floyd.

Now, I am by no means diminishing the seriousness of the events surrounding Mr. Floyd's untimely passing, but what the hell happened to the pandemic? There were multiple well-attended services for Mr. Floyd but nothing for your grandmother.

I'm getting the feeling that there has been an awful lot of hanky-panky going on around here the last few months and that maybe we've been sold a pretty big bill of goods concerning this COVID thing. I was born during the day, but it wasn't yesterday.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.